Baseboard Heater Heat Transfer Fin Replacement System

ABSTRACT

A system for the replacement of heat transfer fins in hot-water baseboard heating is disclosed. The system includes two portions of semi-circular copper tubing. Replacement heat transfer fins are attached to the outer periphery of the semi-circular copper tubing. Two such portions are mounted over the existing water tubing and joined to each other by mechanical means and to an existing water tubing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the field of hot-water baseboard heating systems. In particular, the present invention is directed to a system to be utilized to replace the heat transfer fins contained within a baseboard heating unit.

In a typical baseboard heating unit, heated water is pumped throughout copper piping that is contained within an enclosure. The enclosure with piping is mounted at the intersection of a floor and wall. The copper tubing has heat transfer fins secured to the outer periphery of the tubing to facilitate transfer of heat from the water in the tubing to the air in the room.

After a period of time, it may become necessary to replace the heat transfer fins due to corrosion or other damage. In order to replace the fins, the tubing containing the water must be removed from the system by either cutting the tubing or de-sweating the joints. Consequently, the water must be drained from the system first. After the fins are replaced, the tubing must be reassembled and then the system filled again with water. This process is expensive, time consuming and requires the services of a licensed plumber.

The primary object of the present invention is to simplify the process of replacing heat transfer fins. A further object of the present invention is to provide simple, inexpensive and easy to install replacement heat transfer fins that can be installed by a typical homeowner without the need for a licensed plumber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A hot water heating baseboard fin replacement system comprising a first tubing portion; a second tubing portion; heat transfer fins secured to the outer periphery of the first tubing portion; the second tubing portion; and means for attaching the first tubing portion to the second tubing portion wherein the first tubing portion and the second tubing portion when joined together form a unitary structure around the periphery of a hot water pipe in a baseboard heating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, illustrating available water tubing with heat transfer fins installed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, illustrating an available water tubing section.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the piping with fins attached.

FIG. 4 is a sectional front view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an expanded sectional view of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view, illustrating the present invention installed on water tubing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in terms of the presently preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many obvious modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

The replacement fin system 10 of the present invention is illustrated in the drawings. The replacement fin system 10 comprises a portion of copper tube 12 that is cut longitudinally to form a semi-circular cross section. A plurality of conventional heat transfer fins 14 are attached to the outer periphery 16 of the copper tube 12 by conventional means such as soldering, bonding or other type of mechanical fastening.

In order to install the replacement fin assembly 10, the baseboard heating unit must be opened. The existing heat transfer fins 20 are removed from the water tubing 18 that holds the water. After the existing water tubing 18 is cleaned on the outside, the replacement fin assembly 10 is installed thereon. As shown in FIG. 5, two of the replacement fin assemblies 10 are fitted around the exterior of the water tubing 10 and thus completely encase the water tubing 10 and are held in place over the water tubing by means of soldering or clamps as shown in FIG. 6. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many equivalent and obvious variations of the attachment device may he utilized. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing merely represents an embodiment of the present invention. Many obvious modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as set forth in the applied application. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hot water heating baseboard fin replacement system comprising: a. a first tubing portion; b. a second tubing portion; c. heat transfer fins secured to the outer periphery of the first tubing portion and the second tubing portion; and d. means for attaching the first tubing portion to the second tubing portion; wherein the first tithing portion and the second tubing portion when joined together form a unitary structure around the periphery of a hot water pipe in a baseboard heating.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first tubing portion and the second tubing portion are semi-circular in cross-section.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for attaching the first tubing portion and the second tubing portion is a clamp.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for attaching the first tubing portion and the second tubing portions is by soldering.
 5. A method for replacing the heat transfer fins in a baseboard hot water system comprising the following steps: a. removing the existing heat transfer fins from existing hot water tubing without draining hot water from the tubing; b. attaching heat transfer fins to an outer periphery of two semi-circular portions of copper tubing; c. placing the two semi-circular portions of water tubing around the existing hot water tubing; and d. joining the two semi-circular portions of water tubing to form a unitary structure around the existing water tubing. 